Volcarona Best Moveset
MoveQuiver Dance boosts Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed simultaneously, and 135 base Sp. Atk means one boost often ends the game. Held ItemHeavy Duty Boots blocks the 50% TermEntry Hazards damage that otherwise makes it unplayable. NatureModest with AbilityFlame Body burns physical attackers on contact. The moveset defines special setup offense. S-Tier when hazards stay off the field.
Quiver Dance boosted Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed in one turn in Gen V (Black & White). Stealth Rock took 50%, but one Dance and Volcarona swept. The risk-reward Pokemon.
Best Moves
Best Build
Volcarona best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Attacker Moveset
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Stuck between tiers in Gen VI (X & Y). Stealth Rock still took 50% on entry, and Talonflame's priority Brave Bird picked off weakened Volcarona before it could Dance.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Quiver Dance
- Giga Drain
- Bug Buzz
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Back at the top in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Quiver Dance from 135 Sp. Atk was still devastating, and better team support gave Volcarona more setup opportunities.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power Ground
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Heavy-Duty Boots finally solved the Stealth Rock problem in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Switch in without losing 50% HP. The entry hazard tax was finally removed.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Psychic
- Fiery Dance
Recommended Teammates
Rose to the restricted format in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Quiver Dance plus 135 Sp. Atk was now considered too powerful for standard play. The ultimate late-career peak.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Quiver Dance
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
Recommended Teammates
Volcarona Weakness
Rock, Water, and Flying moves hit Volcarona for super-effective damage. Rock hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Volcarona's special bulk (base 105 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Flying |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ice, Fighting, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass |
What is Volcarona Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Volcarona
B | ||
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Volcarona View Ribombee builds →Moonblast13-15% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Volcarona View Sinistcha builds →Shadow Ball21-25% | ||
B | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityShielddust ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Volcarona View Ribombee builds →Moonblast13-15% | ||
C | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Volcarona View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin14-16% Volt Switch11-13% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityStormdrain ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Volcarona View Gastrodon builds →Ice Beam13-15% Surf 2x53-62% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Volcarona View Amoonguss builds →Giga Drain4-4% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Volcarona View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin14-16% Volt Switch11-13% | ||
C | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilitySnow Warning ItemLight Clay NatureTimid Moves View Ninetales-Alola builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilityIllusion ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves View Zoroark-Hisui builds →
| ||
Evolution
Evolved from Larvesta. Volcarona is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs take forever to hatch. Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+85 over Larvesta), and Volcarona peaks at 550 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Volcarona to get Larvesta eggs using 91 partners from the Bug egg group.
Shiny Volcarona
Purple and blue flames replace the orange, and it's breathtaking. Shiny Volcarona looks like a moth that feeds on moonlight instead of sunlight. One of the best shinies in all of Gen 5 and a genuine trophy for any collection.
Shiny Volcarona Odds & Hunting Methods
8 of 8 VerifiedHow do we research these odds?
We check every game where a shiny is possible, then rank each one by the best method available in that game, so the row at the top is the fastest route overall.
Odds marked verified are cross-checked against multiple independent sources before we publish them. Where a rate is not yet confirmed we mark the row pending rather than guess a number.
Read our full methodologyHow to Get Volcarona
Low spawn rates across 2 encounter spots for Volcarona. That's the kind of hunt where you pick one location and settle in. Sort by Best below to see where the odds are highest.
Where To Catch Volcarona in SV
The path to Volcarona starts with Larvesta at Lv. 24-63 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch LarvestaAsado Desert - DesertLv.24-63OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area Two) - DesertLv.24-63OverworldRate 1%
Step 2Volcarona ✓The Great Crater of PaldeaLv.59-65OverworldRate 1%or evolve from Larvesta (Step 1)
Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Scarlet & Violet for Volcarona.
Volcarona can't be caught in Sword & Shield. Transfer Larvesta in from Scarlet & Violet, then evolve it into Volcarona. The step cards below show each evolution.
How to Obtain Volcarona in SwSh
- Step 1Obtain LarvestaBREEDINGAvailableLeave Volcarona with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Larvesta egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Gift · Route 18 · Gift. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Mirage Spots. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Walking · Lush Jungle. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Scarlet & VioletNot TradeableAppears in Scarlet & Violet via Overworld · Asado Desert. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Volcarona ✓
Volcarona joins the fray only when a Larvesta in Lush Jungle calls for backup, the sun moth answering the S.O.S. at levels 41 to 44.
Where To Catch Volcarona in USUM
Larvesta is your first catch on the way to Volcarona. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 41-44 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Step 2Volcarona ✓or evolve from Larvesta (Step 1)
Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon for Volcarona.
Volcarona can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Larvesta in from Black & White, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, or Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, then evolve it into Volcarona. The step cards below show each evolution.
How to Obtain Volcarona in SM
Step 1Obtain LarvestaCARTRIDGE TRADEAvailableCatch in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Walking · Lush Jungle, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Gift · Route 18 · Gift. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Mirage Spots. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Scarlet & VioletNot TradeableAppears in Scarlet & Violet via Overworld · Asado Desert. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Volcarona ✓
Base Stats
Sp. Atk and Sp. Def carry most of Volcarona's stat budget. Attack's the obvious dump stat. Very hard to catch and yields 3 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
This Pokémon scatters burning scales. Most of the danger of these scales is not in their heat—it’s in the way they rob the surrounding air of oxygen.
Volcarona Event Distributions
Volcarona is available through a handful of Mystery Gift event distributions rather than as a regular giveaway.
Alder's Volcarona GiftAug 2013BlackWhiteBlack 2White 2Not shiny
Shiny VolcaronaJun 2012BlackWhiteBlack 2White 2Always shiny
Volcarona Guide
Use Volcarona as a sweeper. Special attacks are the main output. It outspeeds most threats,
Build your team around Koraidon, Salamence Mega, and Serperior. These have the highest co-usage rates with Volcarona in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.
Swarm is the hidden ability. Strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Not always the best choice. Compare it to Volcarona's regular abilities before committing.
Run Modest on Volcarona. +Sp. Atk is what matters, and the -Attack cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the sweeper role.
Game Availability
Volcarona joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 8 titles so far. With 5 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7Let's Go
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves
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Where to go next after Volcarona.
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